Thursday, February 12, 2009

Coffee-Break Muffins

...with some added mini chocolate chips (1/2 cup)

I started a new schedule at work where I work 10 am - 7 pm on Thursdays. I have big dreams. My plans are to get up at the same time as normal (my body likes routine) and bake something that needs to be eaten warm or can't be refrigerated overnight. I imagine waltzing into the library holding a croquembouche (that crazy beautiful French cream puff tower surrounded by spun sugar).

Well, at least I can say I still have lots of dreams and aspirations.

I stayed up too late staying up watching Top Chef(Thank Goodness Leah the Quitter, Crazy-flirt-home-wrecker got kicked off...and poor Fabio with his finger and best quote of the season...Karla is growing on me...can't wait til next week's episode) so this morning I tried to salvage my baking dreams by making these quick muffins.

This recipe is from Dorie Greenspan's Baking book, page 15. With instant espresso powder and cooled strong coffee, it has some caffeine for an edible coffee break. Here I am cooling my instant coffee over an ice bath. The recipe uses melted butter so it comes together pretty quickly. The recipe makes 12 muffins, but I got 15. Next time, I'll fill them more to get a domed top.

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comments:

YUM, these look delicious! I've been looking for a coffee-chocolate chip muffin recipe since I'm totally addicted to these mocha chocolate chip muffins at our local bakery...maybe this can save me some $$$! :-D

I had that croquebouche thingie(whatever on that spelling?!) at my wedding...we had a regular wedding cake but I gave each table their own french tower to play with...it was by far the best part of the wedding...people still talk about the dessert and fighting over the last piece...it is sort of the hip french version of Monkey bread :). I am going to make the coffee break muffins tomorrow..yum.

For all my variations of the world peace cookies, this is probably my favorite recipe in the entire book. I've made it a handful of times, and they are just too good. And chocolate is always an acceptable addition :)

Ooh...thanks for the Top Chef update! I taped it, but haven't had time to watch yet and I'm so happy to learn that Leah is gone!! The muffins look great and good luck with your dreams! :o) I would like to share some awards with you, so stop by when you can.

I watched the DVR'd episode last night and I'm so glad "Leah the Quitter, Crazy-flirt-home-wrecker" got kicked off. She got on my nerves. Carla is growing on me too. I didn't care for her too much int he beginning but I like how she gets so excited and her eyes bug out of her head. She's nuts! And poor Fabio :-( Did you see his haircut though on the upcoming episode? Not so much. Was I the only one to think that Padma needed to wear a different dress, or a bra at the very least?

After Dorie's lemon poppy seed muffins, these were the ones I wanted to try next. It's good to know they were good! (I used to buy a "cappuccino muffin" at a bakery near an old job and I'm guessing these are similiar. And I think I would love to work 10-7, even one day a week. I'd have a real breakfast, miss the sardine commute (both times), and probably (sigh) get home around the same time anyway.

I love croquebouche too! These muffins look great. I have the recipe marked in the book. I can't wait for Top Chef next week too. I almost got sick when I saw that Fabio had broken his finger. Have a great day!

warm freshly baked treats, straight from the oven to your workplace??? --- man, i am jealous of your workmates!!!! at my office this morning, I enjoyed a day-old donut sitting in the kitchen ---yup, no comparison. ;)

ps...thank GOD Leah is gone - i'm still bitter over the fact that Jamie and Arianne were elimiated before she was. can't wait to see the TC action in New Orleans.

These muffins look like the perfect treat: chocolate and coffee all in a muffin! Sign me up! P.S. I'm in total agreement with you about Top Chef. Karla is finally growing on me--this took a long time. And Leah--uh, don't get me started. She should have gone home a long time ago (and so should Hosea, that little whiner)! Love your blog!!